Heim Steering Upgrade
#1
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Hey guys. Just finished the heavy duty steering upgrade for the 3rd gen dakotas. Heres a few pics on whats involved. super easy installation.
Remove stock steering arm from truck.
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1438.jpg)
Attached clevis and jamnut to the steering ram and crank down on that bastard!
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1439.jpg)
Drill out spindle to 3/4" (the wide taper is just about this size, so your just widening the top of the hole to allow a bolt.)
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1440.jpg)
Take your beefy 1 1/2" .120 wall tie-rod with welded in chromoly bungs and install heim joints
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1450.jpg)
Install on truck, align, and beat to death!
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1455.jpg)
Shweet!
P.S. Tie-rod pictured has a tube welded in the middle due to relocating the setup from on top of the spindle back to the factory location. Real Tie-rod is one piece tubing with welded bungs. Strength isn't an issue here. but its no prom queen.
- Eliminates weak ball and socket setup that the Dodge Ram had recalls on.
- Tightens up steering feel for a more responsive ride.
- Eliminates famous Dakota steering clunk while going over bumps or hitting potholes.
- allows for more articulation and your no longer limited to your steering balljoints.
Remove stock steering arm from truck.
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1438.jpg)
Attached clevis and jamnut to the steering ram and crank down on that bastard!
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1439.jpg)
Drill out spindle to 3/4" (the wide taper is just about this size, so your just widening the top of the hole to allow a bolt.)
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1440.jpg)
Take your beefy 1 1/2" .120 wall tie-rod with welded in chromoly bungs and install heim joints
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1450.jpg)
Install on truck, align, and beat to death!
![](http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm286/bagged95dime/Projekt%20Dirt/Steering%20Upgrade/th_IMG_1455.jpg)
Shweet!
P.S. Tie-rod pictured has a tube welded in the middle due to relocating the setup from on top of the spindle back to the factory location. Real Tie-rod is one piece tubing with welded bungs. Strength isn't an issue here. but its no prom queen.